PRACTICAL STEPS TO AVOID CYBER FRAUD

Cyber fraud is on the rise. Cybercriminals have more tools than ever to conduct fraudulent activities. Stay ahead of the criminals by practicing safe online behaviors and approaching unsolicited calls, emails, texts or messages on social media with caution.

Scammers have become crafty, using key words and a sense of urgency designed to illicit a reaction. According to ZeroBounce, an email validation platform, the following words were found linked to the highest rates of click-through in scam emails: Income, Investment, Credit, Billion, and Free.

These words are being used to pique interest or put pressure on the recipient to click, act, and accidentally hand over personal information.

When you receive an unsolicited message, it is important to pause and think before you click or engage. Here are simple steps you can take to help avoid cyber fraud:

Beware of Anything that Feels Urgent.

If you receive a call or message about a potential account problem or compromise, do not respond immediately. Hang up and call the institution or individual directly using a number from a verified source like the institution’s official website, the number found on the back of your debit or credit card or a number from your personal contacts.

Verify Websites and Emails.

Even if the message seems official, verify the source and confirm the legitimacy of requests by directly contacting the requesting entity through official channels. Always navigate to the official website directly—do not click on links in emails or texts or social media messages. Never rely on unsolicited links in emails or messages.

Never Click Links or Respond to Unsolicited Requests.

If someone contacts you urgently and asks you to click on a link or call a number, do not engage. Hang up and contact the institution or individual directly using an official phone number or website.

Don’t Trust Caller ID.

Scammers can spoof phone numbers, impersonate legitimate institutions, fake identities and locations on calls. Always verify any call by hanging up and calling the institution or person back using a number from the official website or your contacts.

Never Share Sensitive Information.

Be cautious about the personal information you share online or over the phone. Do not share sensitive information like account log-ins, passwords, or social security numbers over the phone or online unless you initiated the call.

When in doubt, delete and report anything suspicious. Whenever you receive an unsolicited call, text, or message, pause and take time to verify the identity of the caller or sender. If you are suspicious – especially if the caller is claiming to be someone you know like a family member or friend – hang up and try calling the number back, directly. It will be evident whether or not it’s fraud.

If it seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam. If it seems incredibly urgent, it’s probably a scam. It is better to be safe than sorry.

The National Bank of Indianapolis will never call, email, or send a text message or social media message asking for your online password, PIN number or social security number.

To learn more about fraud, security, and prevention visit https://www.nbofi.com/fraud-and-security-center.